In order to get your Texas adjuster license and become a licensed insurance adjuster, you will need to:
- Complete a pre-exam education course
- Take and pass the Texas Pearson VUE adjuster exam of your choice
- Complete a fingerprint and background check
- Submit a licensing application to the Texas Department of Insurance
In this article, we offer everything you need to know in order to get started, helping you find the best way of getting your Texas insurance adjuster license
Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend using AdjusterPro’s online study packages, which come with a 98% satisfaction rate.
How to Become an Insurance Adjuster in Texas
Getting your Texas adjuster license can be a simple and easy process, but this will ultimately depend on how you go about completing the required steps.
Step 1: Complete Pre-Exam Education
Preparing for your exam is not something to take lightly. This is because the average pass rate of insurance exams nationwide is around 55% for first-time test-takers and even less for any following attempts.
This means that it is generally recommended that you complete some form of education — such as purchasing a study guide or a state-approved online course — before sitting your exam.
These courses are composed of video, audio, and text and include short knowledge quizzes and practice exams, which will help you obtain the necessary understanding of the material that you will need to know for your exam.
Another benefit of purchasing an all-inclusive course is that it includes the Texas insurance adjuster exam, meaning that you will be qualified to apply for your license as soon as your course is complete.
Recommended Course
Over 80% of our readers use AdjusterPro’s online courses — which come with a 98% satisfaction rate — when preparing for their insurance adjuster exam(s). For comprehensive study packages, StateRequirement recommends:
Step 2. Texas Insurance Adjuster License Exam
Once you have completed all of your coursework, you will be able to take (and hopefully pass) the Texas insurance adjuster license exam.
This is a proctored test, which means that you will be in a controlled environment with a person watching over you. It is, therefore, a good idea to work on both your timing and nerves prior to sitting for your exam.
Texas offers a Property and Casualty Adjuster line, a Workers’ Compensation Adjuster line, and an All Line Adjuster line exam.
- The Property and Casualty Adjuster license exam consists of one hundred fifty (150) questions: You will have two and a half hours (2:30:00) to complete it
- The Workers’ Compensation Adjuster license exam consists of sixty (60) questions: You will have one hour (1:00:00) to complete it
- The All Line Adjuster license exam consists of one hundred fifty (150) questions: You will have two and a half hours (2:30:00) to complete it
Each exam attempt costs $43 and will need to be paid when you make your reservation.
Keep in mind that a total score of 70% or more is required in order to pass this test. The Pearson VUE Texas Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook explains the scoring of these exams:
The passing score of an examination was set by the Texas Department of Insurance (in conjunction with Pearson VUE) after a comprehensive study was completed for each examination. Raw scores are converted into scaled scores that can range from 0 to 100. The scaled score that is reported to you is neither the number of questions you answered correctly nor the percentage of questions you answered correctly. With a passing score of 70, any score below 70 indicates how close the candidate came to passing, rather than the actual number or percentage of questions the candidates answered correctly.
StateRequirement recommends that you study for one exam at a time. This is because insurance adjuster exams are difficult enough on their own without the possibility of confusing information from one line to another. This will allow you to work incrementally towards completing your final exam.
Note: You can register to take your exams — as well as find out more information — on the Pearson VUE Texas Insurance page or by calling Pearson VUE at (888) 754-7667.
Alternatively, you can purchase a commercial course that comes with the Texas state licensing exam. This will allow you to avoid having to independently find and book your test through Pearson VUE.
Step 3. Fingerprinting and Background Check
The State of Texas requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check.
If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. If you have specific questions regarding things that may come up on your background check, you may call the Department of Insurance at (512) 676-6500 or send them an email.
You will make your fingerprinting reservations through IdentoGO. When prompted to enter the code, use 11G6QF.
Note: The fee for fingerprinting services is $47.
Keep in mind that you will not receive a fingerprint card at your fingerprinting appointment. This is because the information will be automatically sent to the DPS and FBI.
You will, however, receive a receipt. Do not throw this receipt away, as you will need to make a copy and send it to the Texas Department of Public Safety later.
Step 4. Texas Insurance Adjuster License Application
Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you will be ready to apply for your adjuster license.
The fee for an online application is $50, plus a small processing fee.
You will be able to apply online through Sircon by clicking on the “New Adjuster License” option.
Be sure to upload your fingerprint receipt from IdentoGO with your application. Any other supporting documentation requested should be sent to the Department of Insurance.
Keep in mind that you will need to complete your fingerprints and submit an application within one year of passing your insurance adjuster exam.
If you’re not a resident of Texas but are looking to get registered in the state, you will need to get a Texas DHS Adjuster License instead.
Note: You must be a United States citizen or legal alien who possesses work authorization from the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in order to be accepted.
Step 5. Texas Application Review
Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your Texas license application will be reviewed by the Texas Department of Insurance.
This process generally takes about two to five weeks. Depending on the results of your background check, you may be required to provide additional information or documentation.
After the review is complete, you will receive an email from the state regarding the status of your license.
Congratulations!
You’ve done the work, put in the time and effort, and now hold the key to your own success! We’re proud of you. Take five (5) minutes and celebrate.
What Kind of Insurance Adjuster Will You Be?
There are four main types of insurance adjusters: staff adjusters, independent adjusters, catastrophe adjusters, and public adjusters.
Each of these positions accomplishes essentially the same task: assess the damage to property brought about by some event and make an evaluation of what monetary value the insurance claim should carry.
The big difference between these different types of insurance adjusters is who pays them and, in the case of the public adjuster, who they are advocating for. Staff, independent, and catastrophe adjusters all require the same type of license, while a public adjuster license is a little different in its specifications.
- Staff Adjuster – Works directly for one insurance company in order to investigate, evaluate, and potentially settle claims
- Independent Adjuster – Works for a third-party company, often called an Independent Adjusting Firm, which has been contracted by insurance carriers to help settle their claims
- Catastrophe (CAT) Adjuster – Can be an independent or staff adjuster who travels to an area that has been largely affected by an event (usually severe weather) and performs claims adjuster services en masse
- Inside Adjuster – Inside adjusters, sometimes referred to as “desk” or “remote” adjusters, handle claims from an office. They are the policyholder’s main contact and the person who applies the policy terms and standards to the claim
- Public Adjuster – Is an independent insurance adjuster that customers choose to hire in order to settle insurance claims. Public adjusters are not hired by insurance companies
Note: To become a public adjuster, you must obtain a standard adjuster license, get an appointment from a public adjusting firm, gain work experience, and eventually pass an additional exam.
Texas Department of Insurance Contact Information
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 149104
Austin, Texas 78714
Phone: (512) 676-6500
Email: License@tdi.texas.gov
Website: https://www.tdi.texas.gov
Texas Insurance Adjuster License FAQ
How long does it take to get a Texas adjuster insurance license?
In Texas, the process of getting licensed as an adjuster can take anywhere between a few weeks and a few months. This is because it will depend on how fast you complete your pre-licensing course (i.e., AdjusterPro course), pass your exam, and file an official application with the Department of Insurance.
Do you need a license to become an insurance adjuster?
Yes. You will need to apply for an insurance adjuster license in order to operate as a legitimate adjuster within the state of Texas. You can do this by completing pre-exam education, sitting your preferred line’s state exam, and filing an application with the Department of Insurance. See our Texas Insurance Adjuster License article for more information.
How hard is the insurance adjuster exam in Texas?
It is quite difficult. Having said that, you should definitely be able to pass on your first attempt if you prepare adequately (i.e., purchasing a pre-exam course in order to learn all of the material that you will be required to know). For more information, have a look at our How to Pass the Insurance Adjuster Exam article.
How much does it cost to get an adjusters license in Texas?
This will depend on several factors, such as which pre-exam education course you will purchase. If you go with our recommended service (i.e., AdjusterPro), you should expect to pay the following licensing fees: $279 for a pre-exam course, $47 for a fingerprinting and background check, and $50 for your application with the Texas Department of Insurance. Note: You may also want to purchase certain insurance adjuster tools to help you operate.
How do I get my adjuster license in Texas?
You can get your Texas adjuster license by completing a pre-exam education course, taking and passing your preferred line’s state adjuster exam with Pearson VUE, completing a fingerprinting and background check, and filing a licensing application with the Department of Insurance. Keep in mind that there is no required Texas pre-licensing education, although this is generally almost always recommended. Note: If you are not a resident of Texas, we recommend having a look at our Texas DHS license article.